Whole Foods and its landlord, Wical LP, were set to go to trial on May 26th, 2020 over the closing of the Glover Park store nearly three years ago, but the parties reached a settlement agreement on February 10th, 2020 - case closed (see background articles below). The agreement gives Wical the $2.7 million held in escrow since the court began collecting monthly rent payments in June 2018. Whole Foods also paid nearly $2 million rent directly to Wical during the store closing prior to that. Whole Foods received a refund of $247K in over-payment of property taxes, presumably from the DC Regulatory Authority's vacant property assessment, which was reversed on appeal to the DC Office of Tax and Revenue. As part of the settlement, each party is responsible for their own attorney fees (a few million more?). Additional terms of the agreement are undisclosed and WashPost/ABC/NBC/CNN/CBS/MSNBC/CNBC and the National Enquirer have not been able to dig up any further details.
Whole Foods plans to renovate the demolished store and re-open when renovations are complete. Considering the current state of the property and the need to re-apply for permits, it could take at least half a year to open the doors, though a timetable has not been publicized yet.
Whole Foods Judge Denies Motions - To Trial!, October 24th, 2019
Whole Foods Requests a Trial Date ASAP, September 23rd, 2019
Whole Foods Gambles on Ending Trial Debate, July 2nd, 2019
Whole Foods Trial Delayed and Huge Tax Penalty Looming, May 16th, 2019
Whole Foods Trial Prep Heats Up, February 11th, 2019
Whole Foods Update - Renewed Hope, February 1st, 2018
Whole Foods Eviction Case Has Gone Quiet, November 15th, 2017
Whole Foods Settlement Talks Fail, May 31st, 2018
Whole Foods Settlement in Two Weeks?, March 13th, 2018
Whole Foods' Landlord Will Fight for Lease Default, July 11th, 2017
Whole Foods Sues its Glover Park Landlord, June 13th, 2017